I knew about Packet8 and Walmart two weeks ago, but was too busy to blog about it. However, I didn't know they are now a featured product on the Shop at Home Network. I can just hear the call-ins now: "This is Mr. Smith from Atlanta, Georgia, and I'd sure like to have one of them fandangled Packet8 videophones. What do I got to do to make this thing-a-mig-jig work in my house? And can I talk to ma on it? And if I get ma one of these here gizmos, will she be able to see me? Maybe I'll get her one for Christmas. Ya'll got some neat stuff!"

Here's the release:

PACKET8 BROADBAND PHONE SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE AT WALMART.COM AND SHOP AT HOME TV

SANTA CLARA, Calif.,-- March 14, 2005 -- 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGHT) the Packet8 Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, announced that Packet8 broadband telephone and videophone services are currently being offered direct to consumers at Walmart.com and Shop at Home Television.

The Walmart.com offer features the Packet8 Broadband Phone Adapter and the Packet8 broadband consumer VideoPhone along with related mail-in rebate promotions. Customers receive a $60 rebate on purchases of the BPA Adapter and a $250 rebate on the VideoPhone.

Shop at Home Network, the nationally-televised home shopping service, is also featuring the Packet8 residential phone service via 15 minute long broadcast segments which explain the benefits of internet calling and the Packet8 service. Viewers have the opportunity to purchase Packet8 Broadband Phone Service with a $60 mail-in rebate on the Adapter and a $30 activation fee rebate. In addition to the Shop at Home television airings, Packet8 offerings are also available on the network's website, www.shopathometv.com.

"Broadband phone service is no longer perceived as strictly an early adopter offering," said8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "Mainstream retailers and consumers alike are beginning to recognize the indisputable advantages of VoIP telephony and the compelling attributes of the Packet8 solution."

The Packet8 residential broadband phone service, introduced in November 2002, offers unlimited local and long distance calling to the U.S. and Canada for $19.95 per month and includes calling features such as voicemail, caller ID, local number portability (LNP), unlimited in-network calling, call forwarding and call blocking. For a small monthly charge, Packet8 subscribers can add toll free and virtual numbers as well as E911 support. 8x8 offers a thirty (30) day trial period to new subscribers for their first Packet8 account. If dissatisfied, subscribers are entitled to a full refund of the equipment cost, activation fee and monthly service fee.

I knew about Packet8 and Walmart two weeks ago, but was too busy to blog about it. However, I didn't know they are now a featured product on the Shop at Home Network. I can just hear the call-ins now: "This is Mr. Smith from Atlanta, Georgia, and I'd sure like to have one of them fandangled Packet8 videophones. What do I got to do to make this thing-a-mig-jig work in my house? And can I talk to ma on it? And if I get ma one of these here gizmos, will she be able to see me? Maybe I'll get her one for Christmas. Ya'll got some neat stuff!"

Here's the release:

PACKET8 BROADBAND PHONE SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE AT WALMART.COM AND SHOP AT HOME TV

SANTA CLARA, Calif.,-- March 14, 2005 -- 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGHT) the Packet8 Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, announced that Packet8 broadband telephone and videophone services are currently being offered direct to consumers at Walmart.com and Shop at Home Television.

The Walmart.com offer features the Packet8 Broadband Phone Adapter and the Packet8 broadband consumer VideoPhone along with related mail-in rebate promotions. Customers receive a \$60 rebate on purchases of the BPA Adapter and a \$250 rebate on the VideoPhone.

Shop at Home Network, the nationally-televised home shopping service, is also featuring the Packet8 residential phone service via 15 minute long broadcast segments which explain the benefits of internet calling and the Packet8 service. Viewers have the opportunity to purchase Packet8 Broadband Phone Service with a \$60 mail-in rebate on the Adapter and a \$30 activation fee rebate. In addition to the Shop at Home television airings, Packet8 offerings are also available on the network's website, www.shopathometv.com.

"Broadband phone service is no longer perceived as strictly an early adopter offering," said8x8 Vice President of Marketing & Sales Huw Rees. "Mainstream retailers and consumers alike are beginning to recognize the indisputable advantages of VoIP telephony and the compelling attributes of the Packet8 solution."

The Packet8 residential broadband phone service, introduced in November 2002, offers unlimited local and long distance calling to the U.S. and Canada for \$19.95 per month and includes calling features such as voicemail, caller ID, local number portability (LNP), unlimited in-network calling, call forwarding and call blocking. For a small monthly charge, Packet8 subscribers can add toll free and virtual numbers as well as E911 support. 8x8 offers a thirty (30) day trial period to new subscribers for their first Packet8 account. If dissatisfied, subscribers are entitled to a full refund of the equipment cost, activation fee and monthly service fee.